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07-03-2021, 09:58 AM | #16681 |
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We finished the second part of Hibiki, and yet again, I feel as though there isn't really much I can say about it that hasn't been said already. Every critique I've ever read about it has basically been spot on, and as such I feel like anyone who reads this post is gonna feel like it's something they've read before. But as always, I'll try, and we'll see how it goes.
In short, the second half of Hibiki might as well be a different show entirely, which makes me wonder... why not just do that? I feel as though Sunken Cost Fallacy was largely at play during the show's' production, because there were so many other avenues that Toei could've went down; Especially considering they were willing to axe the original production team in their entirety. For instance, why not just tell the team that the show isn't working out and thus they have 3-5 episodes left to wrap everything up? Various other shows have done the same. Gundam, for example, has done it multiple times. Or alternatively, if they wanted the show to be retooled in its entirety anyway, why not just replace the cast wholesale and focus on a different branch of Takeshi? Not only was it established to be a worldwide organization, but there were a ton of other Oni they could've focused on. Heck, outright killing Asumu off was on the table at some point, and apparently Kiriya was meant to outright replace him, so focusing on different characters couldn't have been an alien idea. Incase I'm somehow not clear in what I'm getting at here, I am proposing that instead of turning the show into a hallow shell of its former self, just make a new show entirely but under the same name and assets. Yes, the ideal scenario would've been for the original team to be kept and have the show retain its artistic integrity; I am not disagreeing with that. But if Toei really saw the only option as a complete retool and not just axing the show in its entirety, then they frankly didn't go far enough with it. Because as it stands, the result was something that only serves to make fans of the original work angry, and that's not a good time for anyone involved. Or, hell, at the very least give Inoue more of a frame of reference than the first draft of the first episode. Because really, they were almost there as it was already. The kabuki influences? Almost totally gone. The musical theming? Barely there. Crimson Hibiki? Seen once for a split second. Oni other than Hibiki being allowed to do anything? Gone. The warm, welcoming atmosphere? Gone. The pretty cinematography? Gone. Characters who actually have well rounded personalities? Gone. The swift yet stylish action sequences? Gone. The really cool and creative opening theme? Changed out for something not nearly as good or artistic. Other Oni outside of the main four actually existing? Barely. The list goes on. So with all that said, there were two major issues I took with this half of the show, if we're not counting all of the various retcons, which are also terrible but I can't entirely blame on Inoue. Those being two of our leads: Asumu and Kiriya. Now, I actually really liked Asumu in the first part. But man did they put effort towards making me dislike him in the second! I've seen some claim that he's the only character who remains consistent between the two halves, but I Heavily disagree on that front, and it's all due to one simple factor, really. His backbone. Yes, Asumu starts the show off lost, depressed, and to be frank, a total wimp. But over that first half he found self confidence. He found courage. He found a job. Once the second half hits, all of that is entirely gone. He degrades into a complete weakling who needs his hand constantly held by others, to the point that he won't defend himself in anything at all. Remember at the end of the first half when he actually tried to fight back against the kid who jumped him? Well nevermind that I guess! Not to mention the first half makes it very clear multiple times that he has no intention of ever becoming an Oni. Yet, the second half decides to make Asumu petty ontop of everything else because he completely reverses that decision up until the last second. Why? All because of... Kiriya, who challenges him to a dick waving contest over it with no real basis of doing so. Oh yeah, here's where I get into the "star" of this whole mess, and boy, I almost feel like I don't even need to say anything given just how much people have torn into this guy already. But, I actually do have one aspect of him that I at the very least haven't seen anyone bring up before. Now see, every critique you might've already heard about Kiriya is completely true: i.e. he's a toxic and entitled brat. And normally I'd be able to deal with that... except he has literally no basis for it, and the show itself expects us to sympathize with him over it. In other words, giving his outright awful behavior a free pass. Because see, Kiriya isn't just some douchebag, oh no, he's also a blatant mouthpiece for Inoue. He constantly makes negative accusations of everyone in the cast, with absolutely zero basis or evidence and yet is 99% of the time treated as being completely in the right. Characters and plot actively bend over backwards to justify Kiriya's' awfulness to the point of insanity. Asumu desperately wants to be his friend for... no real reason given, and hangs around him despite Kiriya outright calling him worthless, boring, stupid, amongst many other things multiple times. Hibiki embraces their "friendship" by claiming "don't dislike him just because he's different" which, by the way, is a horrible moral in this context. Pro tip: Cut toxic people out of your life, do not embrace them. Heck, remember when Ichiro threatened to beat the crap out of the shoplifter who attacked Asumu? Where was that when Kiriya was on any of his bullshit? It's so dumb! The only one who ever denounced Kiriya for his crap was Akira... only for her to have a complete 180 a couple episodes later with no reason given, no moment of respect, nothing. She just suddenly likes the guy and is totally fine with him being a dickhead. As for the plot bending over for him, there's the time where he steals the Divination Band, and they try to give Kiriya a "positive" trait by showing he wasn't the one who set a student on fire, a Makamou did... ...Except he was 100% going to do so and it would've actually been completely in character if he had. Intent is everything! His character isn't even consistent either. For example, he's at one point shown to be afraid of the dark, and yet he has no problem outright stalking people in the dead of night multiple times(with said scenes even being framed like he's the villain of a slasher movie). He's also shown to not have any real physical strength, and yet has no problem taking on two guys at once and beating Asumu in a straight up fight despite it being shown multiple times that Asumu is physically superior in every way. I guess the simple way to put it is that Kiriya, neither as a person nor as a character, has any redeeming qualities, making me wonder just why in the hell anyone would bother to so much as interact with this guy outside of the plot forcing them to be near him. Oh wait, I know of one reason why: His backstory, which some have used as a way to justify his terribleness. Yeah, no, that doesn't fly here. Speaking as someone who lost his father at a young age, Episode 31 not only doesn't justify anything in terms of either Asumu nor Kiriya, but is infact a totally shallow look into the subject and, frankly, something I find outright insulting towards those like me who've had similar life experiences. Easily my most hated episode in all of Kamen Rider. On the Asumu side of things, we never actually learn what the hell his father's' deal actually is. Asumu never actually meets him, and instead only hears utterly superficial statements from the strangers. Just because he does good for the public does not mean he does good in his home life, and not having him interact with his son at all only further diminishes this episode having any actual real meat to it. And maybe it's just my Latino heritage talking here, but one of the possible interpretations the episode leaves you with: "Oh, Asumu's' dad just doesn't want to be part of his son's' life, and that's 100% okay." Is out and out terrible and I don't like it. Your children should not be things you just casually throw away. Are there extreme circumstances? Certainly, but this episode gives us literally NOTHING to go on, and as such, makes the entire scenario a waste. As for Kiriya, him losing his father in a fire is meant to justify his behavior, but again, I find this incredibly insulting towards other kids with similar experiences who, frankly, process the experience far better than any way that Kiriya has or ever will. Did the experience give him a fear of fire? No, he infact is ready to set a dude on fire later on in the show without a hint of irony. Does he remember his father as an honorable man and thus try to exemplify his positive aspects? No. Heck, even if we're meant to believe that Hibiki acts alot like Kiriya's' father and thus Kiriya harbors some resentment, he doesn't focus that on Hibiki nor grow from the experience. He takes it all out on people entirely unrelated. At this point I do not care that he lost his dad, that doesn't change the fact that he's a complete degenerate who never once learns any sort of lesson. You know what he does kinda perfectly represent though? The annoying step-sibling who constantly feels the need to fight with their other sibling's' over who the favorite is. And no, this is not a good thing. Infact it makes things worse because, again, even once the final episode hits, Kiriya hasn't changed in the slightest nor learned anything because, hey, he was perfect already. Blow me. I could go on, but I wanna give one other aspect to Kiriya that drove me crazy and I can't believe it was never highlighted because it was frankly RIGHT THERE. Know what could've made Kiriya's' situation atleast slightly more believable, outside of you know, giving him atleast one positive aspect to his personality, of which he has none? Work the mother angle. I'm serious. Asumu's' mother is consistently great, and we're outright shown that Kiriya doesn't get to interact with his mom much; essentially living all on his own at a young age. The time Kiriya essentially forces himself into Asumu's' apartment would've been a PRIME time to have Kiriya showcase his jealousy over the fact that Asumu has a parent who still very clearly loves him and is physically there for him. But no, that's totally ignored in favor of Kiriya throwing out more accusations on Asumu's' character that he has absolutely no basis for and yet Asumu, and the audience, are meant to take it as fact. TL;DR: Kiriya, as well as the entire Inoue part of Hibiki, is completely shallow. Say what you want about the first half, but atleast it was genuine. Atleast there was a clear passion behind it. The second half however, has nothing of the sort, and it's easily one of my most hated parts of the entire franchise. Take Switchblade's' advice. Stop after episode 29.
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Last edited by DreamSword; 04-26-2022 at 08:52 PM.. |
07-03-2021, 10:30 AM | #16682 |
I have a problematic type
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Quote:
TL;DR: Kiriya, as well as the entire Inoue part of Hibiki, is completely shallow. Say what you want about the first half, but atleast it was genuine. Atleast there was a clear passion behind it. The second half however, has nothing of the sort, and it's easily one of my most hated parts of the entire franchise.
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07-03-2021, 11:26 AM | #16683 |
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Just.. man, there were so many different ways the second part could've gone, and this was one of the worst. I just feel bad for literally everyone involved.
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07-03-2021, 03:04 PM | #16684 |
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Now, I actually really liked Asumu in the first part. But man did they put effort towards making me dislike him in the second! I've seen some claim that he's the only character who remains consistent between the two halves, but I Heavily disagree on that front, and it's all due to one simple factor, really. His backbone.
Yes, Asumu starts the show off lost, depressed, and to be frank, a total wimp. But over that first half he found self confidence. He found courage. He found a job. Once the second half hits, all of that is entirely gone. He degrades into a complete weakling who needs his hand constantly held by others, to the point that he won't defend himself in anything at all. Remember at the end of the first half when he actually tried to fight back against the kid who jumped him? Well nevermind that I guess! Quote:
Because see, Kiriya isn't just some douchebag, oh no, he's also a blatant mouthpiece for Inoue. He constantly makes negative accusations of everyone in the cast, with absolutely zero basis or evidence and yet is 99% of the time treated as being completely in the right. Characters and plot actively bend over backwards to justify Kiriya's' awfulness to the point of insanity. Asumu desperately wants to be his friend for... no real reason given, and hangs around him despite Kiriya outright calling him worthless, boring, stupid, amongst many other things multiple times. Hibiki embraces their "friendship" by claiming "don't dislike him just because he's different" which, by the way, is a horrible moral in this context. Pro tip: Cut toxic people out of your life, do not embrace them. Heck, remember when Ichiro threatened to beat the crap out of the shoplifter who attacked Asumu? Where was that when Kiriya was on any of his bullshit? It's so dumb!
The only one who ever denounced Kiriya for his crap was Akira... only for her to have a complete 180 a couple episodes later with no reason given, no moment of respect, nothing. She just suddenly likes the guy and is totally fine with him being a dickhead.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). Last edited by DreadBringer; 07-03-2021 at 03:08 PM.. |
07-03-2021, 03:35 PM | #16685 |
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This is for sure, can be frustrating part and for Kiriya to rub the audience the wrong way, it's plausible, he got the infamy for good reason. But, for douchebags who some part of the cast desperately wants to be their friend... isn't that a common part in KR seasons? Like for example, the primary Rider and some member of the cast with the secondary Rider (Kiriya's actor will later play.. Yuuto/Zeronos in Den-O, this time his character is well received though) or sometimes the tertiary Rider too, as usually secondary Riders and a good number of tertiary Riders are made as morally grey frustrating jerks. The execution is probably not done right, but probably Asumu trying to interact with Kiriya and get through him is Rider's common morally upstanding characters (Asumu isn't a fighter, but would be one) trying to soften the hardass hostile jerk. And that... these kind of characters like primary Riders won't cut those toxic people like secondary Riders in their life just because of the hostility they receive. While yeah it's a horrible moral that is employed by Hibiki, I feel like this is common stuff in many Rider series...
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I also hate it if characters like this gets free pass albeit it's expected for people like Takeshi cast (or that you knew that when Akira lashes out at Asumu, she gets a mild reprimand from the Takeshi and it's what you want to happen for people like Kiriya?), but Kiriya did get bad luck in moments like the video chat with his mother to cleaning toilets as punishment and being forced by Hibiki to re-enroll back to school when he initially dropped out.
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07-04-2021, 03:45 PM | #16686 |
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Kamen Rider Gaim watch
The Forbidden Fruit Saga Episode 35: Micchy's Ark Written by: Gen Urobuchi, Directed by: Satoshi Morota As Takatora is stunned by Roshuo's action to destroy the missiles, Roshuo clarifies that the reason he did it is to save Redyue's castle, her duty. This likely refers to the Yggdrasill Tower with the machine to revive his Queen inside, which can be hit by the missiles, but Roshuo didn't meant to save humanity. Roshuo releases Takatora for him to witness the destruction of his men as their 'leader'. Redyue gloats about the plan, while Grinsha turns out to be still alive, which Redyue protected before, and resumes his fight with Gaim and Baron. He makes use of his speed to ram Gaim and Baron, knocking them down. Then in a similar vein as Kachidoki Arms, Gaim Kiwami Arms makes use of something not normally used as weapon, his cape, using it as a flag to lead Grinsha like a bull, matador-style. Grinsha end up ramming a wall with audible 'ding' sound, knocking it down. So the high tier fighters here like Overlord cannot walk through human construction like nothing... Kiwami Arms then use Bana Spear, Kiwi Gekirin (one of the most rare form appearence), and Sonic Arrow as weapons. Baron restrains Grinsha, then Kiwami Arms uses Fruit Basket Charge, Pine Charge version to finish off Grinsha. Actually before watching, I don't know what differentiates between different Lockseeds used for Fruit Basket Charge, and now still don't. As Kouta vows to save Akira, she's taken into the Yggdrasill Tower, the place Redyue's machine is built. Rat and Rica, who are also there, approach her to identify that she's Kouta's sister, which Akira gets to identify them as his friends too, realizing that the monsters took them too. They worry about the reasons they're taken and if they're ok, but Akira assures that there will be someone who saves but have to wait. So Akira knows certain Kouta friend, like Mai and probably Micchy, but not all of them... probably someone like Mai gets to know Akira as childhood friend of Kouta while Rat and Rica are probably newer friends that won't get interact as much or as intimately. Meanwhile Roshuo commits his biggest atrocity so far, though he claims he's doing humanity a favor, by opening cracks all over the world, literally raining Inves and the Helheim places all over the world. This emphasizes the villain part of anti-villain alignment that Roshuo has, as anti-villain is still a subcategory of villain, even if they're relatively more noble. Even if Roshuo has redeeming qualities and isn't a bloodthirsty psycho like Redyue and Demushu, Roshuo is still a nihilist, and the messed-up mindset can still lead Roshuo into doing malicious things like the world-scale invasion here, even if he bears no actual malice to humanity, and leads to think that speeding up their destruction is doing good for them. For the missiles not exploding when Roshuo interferes with them before, it's revealed in the news that Beat Riders watch that, the missiles are actually teleported into North America, destroying that area (along with innocent people) instead. It's clarified the reason the missiles not exploding, and it lives up to Roshuo's aim to speed up the destruction of humanity. Mai thinks this is terrible, but Chucky reminds that they'll die if the missiles hit Zawame. Kouta questions the reason of it happening now, which Kaito explains as the Overlord who didn't care about the war joining now. Zack turns off the TV and laments about their fate. Kouta uses the news as a wake-up call moment that they have to do something, as it's not about Zawame anymore, but worldwide now. But doesn't mean that they have to go through impossible odds of walking the world, Kouta notes that they have the best position to be the closest to the source, the Yggdrasill Tower as Overlord's base, which Kouta plans to attack. Yoko continues that the armies of the world will defend the cracks themselves (but I doubt it'd be effective, seen in various KR series about human tools being ineffectual against monsters), not attacking and meeting the same fate as America anymore. Kaito reminds that the world will sacrifice them to stop the Overlords, thinking that it's not worth saving, but Kouta goes on to rescue the kidnapped people including Akira. Takatora walks around a war zone, mourning about how Yggdrasill is all futile, likely especially the atrocities it has done for the greater good. Without Takatora, the Yggdrasill implodes on itself, the members betraying each other, making Redyue easily taking over the tower, along with Ryoma exposing Project Ark's intentions to the world, giving the Yggdrasill the same taste of medicine if gave to the Beat Riders, now being seen as terrorist cell. It seems that the heroes don't need to take fight to Yggdrasill (other than learning Helheim stuff), it practically defeated itself. Takatora then sees Kouta, but accompanied with Yoko and Kaito, which leads Takatora to think that Ryoma influenced Kouta's group too. So it's not only Kouta being suspicious of Takatora due to Micchy's manipulation before, Takatora undergoes this too, without any manipulation, but basing it on past experience. Of course the actual reason is Yoko confides to Kaito... Takatora never knew his underlings enough. Kouta, Kaito, and Yoko notes that the Yggdrasill garage is protected by an Inves army, thinking that they know the Yggdrasill's facilities, Kouta plans to break into the tower, which is stopped by Kaito reminding about the hostages if they charge their front door down. Kouta is frustrated about the lack of options, which Kaito insist to formulate a plan. Kouta suggests to ask for Micchy's help as he had scouted the tower alone, but of course those 2 has seen Micchy's true nature, pointing out that Micchy's never there when he's needed the most and that he's playing with him like a fiddle. Kouta still denies Micchy being evil, as a longtime 'friend', though now he acknowledged a bit that he keeps secrets and saying weird things, but thinks he's doing the best for him and Mai, thus they can't badmouth him. They'd just roll their eyes at this. They're interrupted by the guardian Inves and all henshin into their Rider forms, detonating them. Baron insists for them to regroup as there will be more of them inside. Rat and Rica wake up, finding that they're in Micchy's office, with Micchy claiming that they're safe, despite Rica pointing out that the world will end. Micchy has changed his attire with a suit, attempting to help the audience to take him more seriously as villain if they don't before, and how he takes over Takatora to conduct even worse version of Project Ark. Micchy acknowledges that, but claims not humanity as some of them will survive and live normally, bringing out the story of Noah's Ark (my TV skips this part) that he applies this to Rat and Rica as some few chosen ones that would be safe as humanity will perish. Rat is confused about what Micchy said, and Rica points out about Akira, as Micchy leaves, assuring them to be safe. As Micchy's villainous, this is tiny bit of his redeeming quality to rescue his friends from Redyue's machine, but of course he's villainous for ignoring everyone else. Micchy visits Helheim, and glanced at Roshuo, who is talking with Redyue, showing that there are another machine that is connected to the Queen's coffin to transfer the human fuel absorbed in Yggdrasill lab. Micchy then interacts with Redyue, explaining how the machine works, and how Roshuo promises to relinquish the golden fruit into him after his love revives. Micchy assures Redyue that she only uses the humans he deemed unworthy to save, an example of how 'caring for your friends' (the only ones Micchy will save for his emotional satisfaction) doesn't necessarily make you a good person. Due to his hatred for Kouta, he's petty enough to leave Akira captive, even if she has nothing to do with his grudge to Kouta. Mai is taking a handful of food and supplies at a convenience store, but even when the city including the store is empty, she still pays for what she took. It's a little insight into her character, either a display of integrity or keep doing Zawame City a favor via its local businesses despite it being dying now... or that she knows there's CCTV on the store that tracks people's activities. Micchy visits her, in his new suit which Mai wonders. They talk about the current world state, where Micchy proposes a world where humanity and Overlord can co-exist. At first Mai seems excited about this, but Micchy talks about the deal being helping them complete their goals giving mutual benefit, then insists to rebuild society where nothing can stand in Team Gaim's way, creating little paradise between them. Hearing about the mutual benefit, Mai's hype turns into disappointment that she realizes Micchy's up to no good, she questions his decision making a deal with bloodthirsty monsters. Micchy explains about how powerful the Overlords are, thus humanity has no chance even united, thus Micchy wants to ensure that the "worthy" ones survive in the end of the world. Mai points out that this is no different from Yggdrasill's actions, claiming that Kouta won't agree to this. This cracks Micchy that he claims Kouta's always wrong, blaming him that he involves everyone in the unwinnable fight (with flashback about Kouta rushing to save civilians attacked by Inves as Micchy holds him), deeming him as idiot who can't protect their friends, and claims to Mai that she's in danger due to Kouta. However, Mai reaffirms that she's not playing favorites between the friends, as the reason is that she believes in hope, and Kouta's holding unto his hope, aiming high to ensure triumph for humanity, and didn't do wrong in him fighting together with the others, Mai's someone hopeful and optimistic as well, thus it'd make her fighting with Kouta. She tries to persuade Micchy to not give up too, not bowing down to the Overlords to fight together, but Micchy just leaves. Unfortunately, just like her slap before, Mai's approach (and the opposite to the slap, not physical one) to Micchy here leads for him to think that to save her, he needs to get rid of Kouta, as he inspires hope in her and that's the barrier between him and Mai. This speaks about how little empathy Micchy has, and that he never understands about virtue and goodness, only being baffled about how Kouta brings hope to others, making not only Mai, but others to stand by him, thinking that only his schemes are the right way to "protect" (only) his friends. Siding with Overlords to ensure his safety, and certain people like his friends, is also the most cowardly move someone can pull, combined with utter immorality, it'll cause huge scale harm instead. Rat and Rica returns to Redyue's machine, as they'd be worried about Akira and they think Micchy's acting weird. Other than Micchy's deluded view that he's protecting his friends and blaming Kouta for everything that happened to them if they for example "don't smile", the friends are the one to notice that Micchy's disturbing now, not only Mai above, but also Rat and Rica here, despite presenting his plan as benevolent, but only for the Team Gaim. I know that Kouta and Micchy are longtime friends, but it seems that the other friends at Team Gaim catches on Micchy's rotten nature better. The irony behind all the Micchy's schemes, he has the obsession to protect (only) his "friends", but his actions, blaming Kouta when it doesn't go his way, and how he intends to betray everyone to keep the emotional satisfaction for being together with his happy friends had alienated him from his friends for good instead. Rat and Rica noticed that the machine had worked, with Rat unsuccessfully trying to take off the device in Akira's face. Redyue arrives, watching their activities. In Drupers, Kaito and Minato finish their meal and heads back to the garage, with Kouta not having an appetite. Bando warns him that if he doesn't eat, he won't be in fit condition fighting monsters. Micchy is spying on this, making his move as Kouta is now alone. Takatora also watches Micchy making his move here, and is being spied too. Micchy approaches Kouta to talk about something. Micchy talks about how Kouta holds into hope, wanting to save humanity without sacrifices, so that nobody ends up like Yuuya. Kouta acknowledges that it's not easy, but doesn't mean he shouldn't try. Like Takatora, Micchy thinks the hope is ridiculous based on how Kouta killed Yuuya to save Mai's life, like what Takatora brought up to Kouta before. But Micchy claims Kouta should be proud of killing Yuuya for that, as he kicks Kouta. Micchy's going full yandere here, to even dismiss about Yuuya's death if it keeps Mai safe, and about how he doesn't view his friends as person. He brings up Mai's well-being again to persuade Kouta as always, which is a real world emotional blackmail technique. As Kouta is confused by Micchy's move, Micchy claims that Kouta can be the hero humanity needed if he had the guts to make tough decisions, but now Micchy's respect to Kouta has gone as Micchy looks down on hope, thinking about how optimism makes one blind to reality and makes him do mistakes. Micchy has inherited Sid's traits for now as well to be a hope crusher and glorifying dirtying one's hands to get the job done, claiming it makes a hero. To show how little he understands, being a hero is about doing good deeds to others, having guts (not in morally questionable way) and being admired is just a bonus. And well, I guess Micchy's the one who's blinded here by his grudge against Kouta, how Kouta gets his power up aside, Micchy just complains that Kouta gets stronger and stronger, when he's the one that can take on Overlords that terrifies Micchy in their power. The irony about how Micchy looks up to Kouta and Mai, wanting to grow up become like them, but instead he becomes their antithesis. Micchy's take of using Kouta as his role model is also a dark variant, like what Takatora claims before that he only fights Yggdrasill to challenge him, not about emulating Kouta's best traits by fighting as a Rider, but about how Kouta is admired and respected by Mai, Team Gaim, and Takatora, which due to this, turns Micchy bitter and jealous instead if Kouta earns them. Micchy represents the worst and misguided take of picking someone as role model, when someone takes one as role model, it has to be examined the reason they idolize said role model. Micchy henshins using Genesis Driver, to Takatora's surprise that he had his belt, and Kouta realizing that his allies are right about his true nature as Micchy's Zangetsu Shin now, as Micchy deems hope as disease that Kouta spreads. Kouta questions Micchy about Takatora's fate, as Micchy claims he's dead, again blaming Kouta for that. As Kouta gets beaten up for a while, though confused, Kouta finally henshins into Gaim as Zangetsu Shin shoots an arrow to him, starts refering him by "Mitsuzane" for now, symbolizing Micchy not being the same self as the one that were Team Gaim's "friend" now. Note that Kouta henshins inch away the arrow's going to hit and possibly kill Kouta.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). Last edited by DreadBringer; 07-04-2021 at 03:51 PM.. |
07-06-2021, 08:09 AM | #16687 |
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Kamen Rider Gaim watch
The Forbidden Fruit Saga Episode 36: Brothers' End! Zangetsu vs. Zangetsu Shin! Written by: Gen Urobuchi, Directed by: Takayuki Shibasaki As Gaim fights Micchy as Zangetsu Shin in his Orange Arms, trying to reason with him first, he lost and de-henshined into Kouta. While Micchy tries to shoot an arrow to him, Takatora reveals himself, putting himself between Micchy and Kouta, surprising both that Takatora is still alive (to Micchy) and Takatora is his former best friend's big brother (to Kouta). Takatora never realized that Micchy would stoop so low, becoming someone more cold and evil than his brother ever was, including him carrying the Project Ark and donning a suit. Micchy blames others again, to Takatora, although this one has a point, where Takatora only ordered him around without seeing the big picture. Micchy rants about how he does all of this as only way to protect what he cares (and leaving what he doesn't care to rot) by himself because Takatora left him. While Takatora may be at fault for rising Micchy, doesn't mean Micchy is blameless and that he can pin all his wrongdoings to Takatora to blame. Kaito arrives, but Redyue also arrives, attacking him in his human form, and even causing a significant cut on his arm. Redyue teleports Micchy away by jumping and covering him with green mist as he's still useful to her. Kaito tries to get the fact straight to Kouta that it's real proof that Micchy is working with Overlords, while Takatora is at disbelief of what happened to his brother. The Beat Riders at the garage hears that Micchy is the Yggdrasill overseer's little brother as well, realizing that he's a liter, but Kouta still had something to defend Micchy, that he lies to stay with them, with Mai continuing that his love for dance is true. Jonouchi is appropriately enraged that they may justify his other lies, but Kouta does acknowledge that Micchy has faults. Kouta did back up that keeping lies and secrets is the most hurtful part. It's proven as Kouta's someone who has kept secrets like Yuuya's death before, and he felt burdened about it before he tells others, while Micchy has done a number to his sanity by keeping those secrets until now, Micchy's an example about how keeping secrets, despite his claim of keeping others happy, isn't working well, as his friends knowing about everything that's going on is better for them in the long run, as well as making him bitter with everyone, since he's convinced that he's doing what's best for them and is angry that they're not going along with what he wants. Kouta would try to investigate Micchy further, thinking of him as a victim to Overlords. Kaito, who tries to cover his wound, understandably from what he sees on the surface, thinks Kouta's no longer naive, but insane now, as there's none of who Kouta fight can be reasoned so far while being enraged and grabbing Kouta's collar, and doubts about Kouta being willing to fight him if there's nothing good about Micchy. To Kouta's credit here, Kaito also thought Takatora betrayed Kouta, while he didn't, and it was Micchy's machinations, and he's basing it off from his own experience of keeping truth too, as for a while it did keep his friends from a distance a bit. Takatora talks with Yoko outside of the garage, with Yoko reporting about how Ryoma dismantled Yggdrasill, and Ryoma's backstabbing nature to use everyone and everything for his research, using Takatora and her as example. I guess Ryoma's betrayal did teach a harsh lesson to Yoko, about how Takatora would feel when she betrayed him, and she gets a taste of that as well from Ryoma, likely making them able to reconcile here, with Yoko also asking if he hates her for that. Takatora's however serious, insisting to focus on fighting against Overlords instead of fighting each other or holding past grudges. Now Takatora claims to fight Overlords, even when he got Roshuo to talk with. So that means Kouta's plan is a failure in Takatora's eyes now and that Takatora can no longer rely on him? Or he also vows for one of them to get the forbidden fruit (by force from Roshuo) to save the world? As Yoko also ask about those who help the Overlords, likely refering to Micchy, Takatora declares them as enemies. The scene cuts right to Micchy, who asks Redyue if Femushinmu have family. Disturbingly, Redyue declared that she had parents and siblings... but she murdered them, for fun and satisfaction. Redyue's really utterly batshit insane, the killing whole family thing reminds me of Ouja from Ryuki. Urobutcher himself did compare Zangetsu to Ouja, but for what happens later in the series, fan theories suggest that he may refer to Micchy as Ouja, instead of Takatora, and Micchy's Overlord counterpart is Redyue. She even eggs for Micchy to experience that, claiming that it'd be more fun if a toy breaks and he'd be on her level by that. Micchy claims he can handle that. Mai is practicing dancing alone, as Kaito walks by, asking the reason to practice. Mai claims that there's nothing she can do right now, so she has to move her body. Kaito tries the same thing he did to Kouta against Mai, to convince her that Micchy is their enemy without thinking much of it. Mai disagrees, but due to viewing giving up on friends as weakness, and notes that she and Kaito can have mutual agreement on that, and it's a first as well for Kaito to think of Mai as the right one. Mai keeping her grip to hope here, for Micchy, finally makes Kaito admit that she's strong in her own way. This shows a broader aspect of Kaito's social darwinist mentality, that he believes true strength lies in the moral and emotional, rather than influence to the surroundings, he uses his mindset to rally against the idea that people in positions of power are inherently superior to the powerless as well, indicating that he didn't really follow the philosophy, which is a reference to Kyoko Sakura from Madoka, another Urobutcher character with a selfish philosophy that she doesn't actually seem to follow. Though for Mai thinking of giving up as weakness that can't be forgiven... I guess that's not entirely true? Giving up also can mean that you're strong enough to let go and move on. Kouta is at Drupers, with Bando again reminding him to eat or else he'll collapse, as Takatora comes. Both talk outside, as Takatora notices Kouta's lack of appetite, he gave him tips to keep him full by wearing Sengoku Driver and absorbing Lockseed's nutrients. Shows how far they've come from their first meeting, even if Kouta already knew about Sengoku Driver's function there. Takatora recounts about how he raised Micchy alone, as their parents were often overseas. Another similarity between them is that Kouta reveals he's raised by an older sister alone too, which Takatora remarks that Akira must be an amazing woman, as he thinks Kouta has been raised well, for someone Takatora looks up to now. Takatora talks about how he tried to be a role model for Micchy, but Micchy instead applies Takatora's poor aspect, like taking the part of Takatora being guilible pawn, which means he had to learn to be never as stupid as Takatora, regardless of moral, turning him into a ruthless, two-faced villain that focuses on using and influencing others. Kouta makes an assumption about Micchy struggling from all the lies he's told, blinding him to see which is the right decision or what he wants, giving him the hardest to overcome. Well it's good to discuss about the likely root of Micchy's problems, as understanding someone is needed to deal with them, though Kouta puts him in higher light and that he knows he can't do anything for him, but whatever goal Micchy currently had in his mind, he'll cross any line to see it through. Takatora admits that, if Micchy's big sibling is like Akira, Micchy wouldn't turn out like this, feeling responsible for Micchy's actions, as he recounts the time where he forces Micchy to cast aside distractions for his education, vowing to finish this as he prepares his old Sengoku Driver and Mango Lockseed, sending a message to Micchy in his office. While Micchy has turned into someone worse than Takatora ever was and his actions can't be excused by blaming Takatora, Takatora did have problems in raising Micchy. Shows that having best intention doesn't mean you're a good or righteous person (before now) that everything they did can be excused due to having good motivation. Not only his Project Ark before, but also Takatora's method in raising Micchy, with how he forces him to be at top in his education and viewing everything as distractions, which is a notorious type of education in Asia and can give bad consequences such as giving hard pressure from the expectation that develops mental or emotional issues, as well as Takatora's elitism to try passing his views on Micchy that looks down on Beat Riders as street trash, which is likely applied on Micchy on places like school to be condescending to others, and it won't make Micchy people's person (like what Takatora wanted) with that mentality. Takatora really needs to learn how to not be extreme in pursuing his goals. In the garage, Mai and Zack checks out the Zawame map, noting that they've evacuated everyone that is needed, with flashback of Mai and Zack leading their respective group of people into safety, which means all that's left is the people on Yggdrasill Tower, making plans to rescue them too. All while Yoko is sitting around emotionlessly, likely highlighting her different approach to the Rider alliance compared to those 2. Kouta comes and asks where Takatora is, which Mai answers as not around here. Yoko suddently gets up and leaves the garage, which Kouta follows to ask about Takatora's whereabouts too. Yoko however insists for Kouta to stay out from this as this is familial matter. Her approach for the alliance is further showed here that she delays Kouta because of her thoughts about family matters, which'd kickstart Micchy's schemes as detailed later and the following episodes, setting up a stage for battle of the Golden Fruit, which is her goal to ally with the Riders above saving city. Takatora faces Micchy, who claims that he's reviving Project Ark that instead saves half of humanity and claims that it's worth praise, but Takatora didn't budge and realizes that it's what Micchy "learns" from his example. I guess Takatora's really over the project now, as he tries to stop Micchy regardless, whenever Micchy is lying for the project here as he claims here to save half of humanity when to his friends he claims to save only his friends alone. Micchy's main motivation is based on how he feels that he lives under his brother shadow, and wants to break free from that to live freely, and here Takatora directly claims that Micchy is his shadow, but based on how he represents every mistakes Takatora did. The brothers both want to save people, but Takatora is the nobler side, trying to save as many as he can, despite the hard choices and sacrifices he takes to keep them alive. Micchy is the more selfish side, only wanting to save those who are close to him, leaving the rest of humanity to rot. Micchy being refered as shadow here refers to how he walks down the dark path, while Takatora maintains his noble traits and get better. Micchy comes to the conclusion that he has to kill his brother to step out from his shadow. Micchy henshins to Zangetsu Shin, while Takatora returns into base Zangetsu. It's clear why Gaim Jimber Lemon Arms was able to beat down Zangetsu Shin while Micchy's using it, and can't when Takatora's using it. Takatora's skill in fighting is on league of his own compared to Micchy that he can fight Micchy as Zangetsu Shin on equal terms even when using Sengoku Driver, as Micchy is grounded, Takatora calls him out for following his dark path, and not improving himself to be better than Takatora, as Micchy complains Takatora always pushes expectations to him. Then Micchy brings up about noblesse oblige, and complains about Takatora making himself be used by others instead putting his credibility into question, and uses the philosophy as an excuse to sacrifice Takatora as he's the most gifted. After an even fight, Takatora's skill allows him to put himself in position to finish Mitsuzane! However, Takatora's nobler traits compared to the 2 as he genuinely loved Micchy despite Takatora's misguided ways stopped him from delivering the blow, remembering their childhood when both of them are without fucked up problems. Micchy however has turned so much worse to not hesitate killing his brother off, using Melon Energy Squash to crack his helmet and knock him into nearby water, in similar fashion as Garren's fight with Kanai in Blade's end. Micchy has added another list of his crime, fratricide, without even feeling remorse for what he had done here. Kouta tries to approach the Kureshima brothers, but is blocked by Redyue, who tells him to not spoil the fun. Kouta calls out Redyue's cruelty of being similar to Demushu, and henshins into Kachidoki Arms. His performance earns Redyue's "respect" that she views Gaim as fun too. Gaim questions Redyue about what she wants from Micchy, but like how she likes to betray who trusted her and watching their reactions, she's doing the same to Micchy, watching him pursuing his goals until he breaks under his own power, therefore Redyue don't have to interfere. Micchy is smart, but he tends to overestimate himself and sees himself as being able to control everything, neglecting the steep learning curve involved in manipulation, which'd cost him here as Redyue's one of those that can use him for her own needs instead, being more experienced manipulator. Though Gaim is enraged, Redyue points out that Micchy is his enemy now, but still only earns her a punch from Kachidoki Arms that knocks her down. Gaim upgrades into Kiwami Arms, enraged for Redyue using Micchy. But actually even without Redyue egging him to elevate himself on her level, Redyue himself admits that Micchy's so messed up himself, he's the one driving himself nuts. Kiwami Arms uses the weapons Ryugen had for the opening attack to "avenge", Budou Ryuhou (which shapes the energy balls in grape formation) and then Kiwi Gekirin. Redyue is surprised by Gaim possessing Fruit of Knowledge's power. Kiwami Arms then uses Kagematsu, of which Redyue manages to gain a little upper hand by shooting green orbs. This shows a scale between the 3 main Overlords, that Demushu as the lowest level one is effortlessly defeated by Kiwami Arms, but Redyue can fight evenly with him. Kiwami Arms then uses Bana Spear, and puts a nice usage of the weapon to form a banana projectile, but it latches on Redyue, throwing her around into a nearby building. Still I wish there's them utilizing banana in peeling its skin or banana skin's slippery traits though. Redyue tries to control Helheim plants, but it didn't do anything against Kiwami Arms. Kiwami Arms tries to finish her off using DJ Gun's Fruit Basket Charge, Orange Charge variant, but Redyue escapes by using controlling plants to shield herself using a nearby Toyota Hiace, exploding it instead. Though surprised, Redyue has another plan, she vows to make Gaim learn the meaning of gaining the power of Fruit of Knowledge. Kouta tries to approach the Kureshima brothers' fight, hoping to not be late...
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). |
07-07-2021, 11:42 AM | #16688 |
Showa Girl
Join Date: Jun 2018
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I got to the HBV in my OOO rewatch... just imagine a universe where Tajador is made up of a rooster, a pidgeon and a duck
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07-07-2021, 01:16 PM | #16689 |
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Kamen Rider Gaim watch
The Forbidden Fruit Saga Episode 37: Baron's Soccer Showdown Summer Camp! Written by: Jin Haganeya/Nobuhiro Mori, Directed by: Takayuki Shibasaki Another breather episode, with Urobutcher not writing it, a tie in to the movie Kamen Rider Gaim: Great Soccer Battle! Golden Fruits Cup!, which likely won't be aired in my TV too. The canon part: Kouta tries to rush into the Kureshima brothers' battle, but is intercepted by... a horde of flying insects like ep. 9, but turns out that it's a component of Grasshopper monster. Kouta henshins into Gaim Jimber Lemon Arms, and realizes that said monster isn't an Overlord but is just as tough. The Grasshopper Monster using the ability to turn itself into flying insects awfully resemble Demushu's ability to turn himself into a mist, giving him mobility and dodging attacks, and the monster left the fight with Gaim wondering. Then Kaito checks his green wound inflicted by Redyue, as Sagara approaches him, talking about how Kouta left him in the dust, with the flashback of Gaim getting Jimber and Kachidoki Arms, but Kaito still wants to beat him, so Sagara opens a crack showing an alternate version of Zawame, with Gaim jumping from it, turning from Orange Arms into Kiwami Arms. Kaito henshins into Baron Lemon Energy Arms and expectedly, Kiwami Arms had the upper hand, with Sagara pointing out that's Kouta right now, citing his determination... eh you're the one giving him those power ups Sagara. Baron keeps going, realizing that he can be the one to take the world. Kiwami Arms uses DJ Gun to perform Kachidoki Charge, shooting a fireball point-blank to Baron and de-henshins him in the process... ..which suddenly sends Kaito into (almost) a goal post, as in Kaito becomes a failed goalkeeper from a ball shot (not by Rider Kicking but by weapon) by Gaim. Kaito also finds himself on a soccer field, with Zack and Peko helping him get up, with the return of Hase who Zack calls out as hitting him on purpose. Bravo argues that the soccer field is a battlefield, warning that they may fare worse against his pro team in France. Well, comparing something bad with something worse doesn't negate the existing bad qualities of the former. Kaito finds his wounds healed too. Hase throws the ball into Bravo (who is wearing the soccer shirt along with his Rider form!), with Zack's henshin into Knuckle as goalkeeper. Bravo shoots the ball with his finisher, scoring a goal as Knuckle isn't strong enough to stop the force. Team Charmant wins over Team Baron. Peko apologizes to Kaito, but Kaito only wants explanations, but is interrupted by Team Charmant, Bravo doubting their ability to compete in "All Riders Cup", and Jonouchi gloating that they can't stop them. Kaito realizes that this is alternate world as there's no trace of Helheim invasion. The soccer game is hosted by... DJ Sagara again, talking about Team Charmant's 10-0 victory over Team Baron. Kaito hears that in Drupers, with Zack and Peko sitting by nearby. Kaito finally explains that he lost his memories, with both surprised. They think Kaito doing what they do currently will "jog his memories" as their solution. As Kaito asks why they're playing soccer, Zack explains that it's to win All Riders Cup and... get the golden fruit, which belongs to only 1 last team. So in this world golden fruit is done by sports....with Rider still being included of course. Peko and Zack laments that they're on top at one point but is on losing streak now. Kaito, hearing about how to survive they must play soccer, reignites his social darwinism philosophy and now agrees to train. In the training Kaito turns out to be not a good soccer player, with Zack and Peko being confused over this. But there's a cameo of Kengo Nakamura of Kawasaki Frontale, who arrives to help. He trains the players of Team Baron, and Kaito manages to improve himself. Kaito then comes across Lapis, who is seen earlier before, who claims Kaito's previous "inconvenient" memories are haunting him and will cause him problem, and Kaito gets attacked by Grasshopper Monster, which Kaito henshins into Baron. Baron insists for Zack to henshin and help him fight Inves, which instead gets them confused that Kaito henshin to fight monsters and the term "Inves". Baron drives away the monster with Spear Victory, Squash version. As Zack thinks it's awesome, Kaito realizes that there's no Inves either in that world. As Kouta's still running around, he's being watched around by someone with a belt. Kouta then comes across Grasshopper Monster again, and after doing acrobatics in human form to keep up and avoid his attacks, he henshins into Kachidoki Arms to settle the fight quickly. He's interrupted by Sagara telling him that the dimension is warping, informing that something nasty is waking up in Helheim, opening a crack showing an alternate Zawame City, with a shot of Kouta handing a soccer ball to Lapis. Kachidoki Arms resumes his fight with the monster, upgrading to Kiwami Arms dual wielding Daidaimaru and a Duri Noko, then defending and attacking with Melon Defender, and finishes the monster off with Kunai Burst (Ichigo Arms' finishing move). Kouta eventually reaches the spot where Zangetsu fight happens, with Armored Rider Mars entering Lapis world, as the narration explains the fruit myths, especially Ambrosia, the fruit eaten by Adam and Eve, talking about great power bestowed by those who eat the fruit, but only single one will be chosen. Bravo promises his fans that his team will win in All Riders Cup, but Jonouchi delivers the news hosted by DJ Sagara that Team Baron rises up in the rank, due to Kaito playing as Baron, and can redirect the ball's direction with a Banana Squash kick (soccer shoot, not flying Rider Kick), with DJ Sagara announcing that the next match will still be between Team Baron and Team Charmant. At Drupers, Zack and Peko are proud, but questions Kaito's decision to take up soccer, which of course, Kaito equates it to dancing that he'll also show off his strength and fight off the strong ones in soccer. In the soccer match, Team Charmant has called the cameo of real life soccer player on their own, Kosuke Ota from FC Tokyo, but Team Baron gets to keep Nakamura. In so far a normal soccer match, both Team Baron and Charmant score 1 goal, but Team Baron gains an upper hand by Kaito's henshin into Baron and doing a backflip banana-themed kick into Team Charmant's goal post. Grasshopper Monster is still not finished and appears on the field. Not even the Riders, both of the real soccer players Nakamura and Ota were able to turn the soccer ball into fireball with their tricks to attack the monster by kicking the ball into it! Baron then drives the monster out of the field to fight it, then upgrades with Genesis Driver into Baron Lemon Energy Arms, using soccer trick to bounce back an energy ball from the monster, then finishes it off with Cavaliend to trap the monster in a lemon projection, then kicking (a proper Rider Kick this time) it through lemon slices, similar to Pine Arms' Iron Breaker. Lapis comes, finally revealing more of him that he brought Kaito here to create his ideal world, but erases Kaito's memories, apparently sending Kaito back into his original world, as he wakes up in the previous park, vowing to stay true of his philosophy of showing off power. This episode, there's a fanservice element either for the Rider followers like the return of Hase, or for those who are keen on soccer, especially on Japan's real life soccer scene, the cameo of Kengo Nakamura and Kosuke Ota. Another good thing that the episode have is actually... the monster battles as there's five Ending Themes playing during it; Ranbu Escalation during Baron's fight against Kiwami Arms, Never Surrender during Baron's fight against Grasshopper Monster, and Raise Up Your Flag during Kouta in Kachidoki Arms' fight against the same monster. Otherwise, this episode still delays the plot after a cliffhanger of Kouta finding out the fate of Kureshima brothers, and I enjoy this one less than ep. 30 with Kikaider (there's 'soccer element' there in Kikaider's kick on Kachidoki's Orange Charge too!), as this has less meaningful moments and feels more time-wasting to put this in the main series (it's also to promote Japan participating in the FIFA Cup in 2014). Currently for here, I also know little to nothing regarding Lapis, the boy who sent Kaito into his world, so nothing to say yet.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). |
07-07-2021, 05:57 PM | #16690 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,399
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truly this was the answer to the ooo final form question all along
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